Minerals

Harliansyah, Ph.D

Dept Biochemistry FK-YARSI

THE CATIONS

• SODIUM

• POTASSIUM

• CALCIUM

• MAGNESIUM

SODIUM • The MOST ABUNDANT cation in the ECF • Normal range is 135-145 mEq/L • Major contributor of plasma osmolarity FUNCTIONS • 1. participates in the Na-K pump • 2. assists in maintaining blood volume • 3. assists in nerve transmission and muscle

contraction • Aldosterone increases sodium retention • ANF increases sodium excretion

POTASSIUM

• MOST ABUNDANT cation in the ICF • Normal range is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L • Major electrolyte maintaining ICVF balance FUNCTIONS • 1. maintains ICF Osmolality • 2. nerve conduction and muscle contraction • 3. metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins • Aldosterone promotes renal excretion of K+ • Acidosis promotes exchange of K+ for H+ in the cell

CALCIUM

• Majority of calcium is in the bones and teeth

• Normal serum range 8.5-10 mg/dL

FUNCTIONS

• 1. formation and mineralization of bones/teeth

• 2. muscular contraction and relaxation

• 3. cardiac function

• 4. blood clotting

• 5. enzyme activation

CALCIUM Regulation:

• GIT absorbs Ca+2 in the intestine with the help of Vit. D

• Kidney Ca+2 is filtered in the glomerulus and reabsorbed

in the tubules

• PTH increases Ca+2 by bone resorption, Ca+2 retention and activation of Vitamin D

• Calcitonin released when Ca+2 is high, it decreases Ca+ by excretion in the kidney

MAGNESIUM

• Second to K+ in the ICF

• Normal range is 1.3-2.1 mEq/L

FUNCTIONS

• 1. intracellular production and utilization of ATP

• 2. protein and DNA synthesis

• 3. neuromuscular irritability

THE ANIONS

• CHLORIDE

• PHOSPHATES

• BICARBONATES

CHLORIDE

• The MAJOR Anion in the ECF

• Normal range is 95-108 mEq/L

FUNCTIONS

• 1. major component of gastric juice aside from H+

• 2. together with Na+, regulates plasma osmolality

• 3. participates in the chloride shift

• 4. acts as chemical buffer

PHOSPHATES

• The MAJOR Anion in the ICF

• Normal range is 2.5-4.5 mg/L

FUNCTIONS

• 1. component of bones

• 2. needed to generate ATP

• 3. components of DNA and RNA

• PTH decreases PO4 in blood by renal excretion

• Calcitonin increases renal excretion of PO4

BICARBONATES

• Present both in ICF and ECF

• Normal range- 22-26 mEq/L

FUNCTION

• 1. regulates acid-base balance

• 2. component of the bicarbonate-carbonic acid

buffer system